We Had a Snow Day

It was snowing when we got up today. The snow continued through the morning, ending close to 11 or so. From that point on it began to melt and turn to slush on road snd sidewalks. Fields and trees that are exposed to sunshine (and we've had it all day, along with blue skies and puffy white clouds) turned a brilliant green. The high hills all around the village are still white and look so much more imposing and grand than when they're green. This afternoon I drove to Crieff to pick up some groceries. On my way home, I had several spectacular views of Comrie's hills in the distance. Since I didn't have my camera (and was driving at the time!) I'll give you a word picture of one of them (although I'll keep it under a thousand words). As I approached a curve I looked out across a green farm field that stretched away before me the length of two football fields. Brown cows were standing around close to the part of the field nearest to me. In the distance were the snow-covered hills that surround Comrie, glowing in the late afternoon sun. At times like these you'd almost think you were in Austria or Bavaria or even Switzerland (except, of course, our hills aren't that tall nor are they very craggy).

To return to our week in Dingle, I'll tell you about Friday, January 5th. John Benny was right in his weather report, we had a sunny day all day long. It wasn't warm but it was clear and bright. In the morning we drove over Connor Pass which sort of cuts across the Dingle peninsula from the town of Dingle. What amazing views. We were driving on single tracks for most of the way which slowed us down and allowed us to take in more of the beauty around us.

We had to return to Dingle the way we had come because there is no way to get through the mountain at the end of Connor Pass. Back in town, we browsed the shops, had lunch at Adams Pub (delicious food) and then in the afternoon, took another excursion, this one over Mount Eagle. From the top we had marvelous views of the off-shore islands. The light was such that the photos are rather astonishing, such as the one above which Don took from the top of Mt. Eagle. Here is one I took of an island known as The Sleeping Man, also off Dingle peninsula.

We had another leisurely pre-dinner drink with nibbles back at the cottage and then got ourselves freshened up and a bit more dressed up for our swanky dinner out at The Chart House Restaurant. We were very impressed with everything. The decor was just slightly understated and they used the products of local potters for lamp bases, vases, water jugs, and butter ramekins. The menu was not extensive but it was interesting and intrigueing without being gimmicky. The service was friendly although it grew less efficient as the place became more crowded. The food was superb, the recommended wine suited us all--and our dishes--to a T. It was a good evening, rounded off by a shorter session at John Benny's Pub and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow I'll tell you about our last full day on the Dingle peninsula.